Chapter 12: He's Completely Lost It

At ten the next morning, Leigh went back to the Pemberton house with Conroy, the lawyer, and two police officers.

The lawyer had arranged it.

A spouse who has moved out is allowed to collect her belongings, with an escort, and a list.

The housekeeper let them in without a word, and her hands were shaking.

Talia was in the front room.

She sat on the white sofa in the pink robe, discharged from the hospital that morning, with a blanket over her knees and a soft smile.

The jade bracelet was on her left wrist.

"Leigh," she said sweetly. "I'm so glad you came. I wanted to thank you in person."

Leigh crossed the room.

"Take it off," she said.

"What do you mean? You gave it to me."

"That bracelet belonged to my mother. It was in my jewelry box, in my bedroom, in a locked drawer, and I never gave it to anyone."

"You must have forgotten," Talia said gently, and turned to the officers with wide eyes. "She's been under so much stress."

"The lawyer has the insurance photographs," Leigh said. "Taken every spring. With the serial number engraved inside the clasp."

The lawyer stepped forward and held up a folder.

"Page four," she said to the officers.

The first officer looked at the page, then at Talia's wrist.

"Ma'am," he said. "Could I see the inside of the clasp?"

Talia's smile stayed where it was.

It did not look natural any more.

"I think I should rest," she said.

"It will only take a moment," the officer said.

For a second nobody moved.

Then Talia tore the bracelet off and threw it at Leigh's feet.

It hit the floorboards and bounced once.

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